The Big Island

Hawaii, also known as "The Big Island" (since the island's name bears the same name as the state) was the last major Hawaiian island that I hadn't visited. And since Chris still remains at Sky West (yes he still has his job!) I think we should take advantage of the flight benefits as long as we can. Although standby flying is no picnic, if you have the opportunity to fly to destination you could otherwise afford, you should take it!

This trip was loosely planned on the hope that we would be able to go. I apologize for all the people I did not mention this trip too. It's just that, when Chris and I were going to fly to Oahu for our 1st anniversary I told everyone we were going. Then flights filled up 2 days before we were supposed to leave! So we went to California instead (which isn't the same when you thought you were going to be in Hawaii). When we got back everyone was asking about Hawaii and it was like salt in the wound telling them we didn't get to go. So I kept the trip on the down low just in case.

But everything worked out. I was able to get time off of work, Chris was able to get time off work, he was able to arrange his school work, we were able to get on all our flights. My cousin and her husband (who also works for Sky West) were able to go and even my other cousin was able to go on a buddy pass. Big sigh of relief.

This is an ancient Hawaiian park called Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. It was right near where we did our first snorkeling. It has a rock wall that has been there since the 1500's!

Here is where we did our first snorkeling. It was a little rough and rocky getting in and out! But once you were in the water the coral and sea life as AMAZING! in the middle there is a big white sand area of the water where someone has spelled ALOHA with cement bricks and now there is coral growing on it. It was really cool.

This is "Painted Church". It has amazing grounds.

Since we stayed on the "Sunny Side" of the island (in Kona) we got to see some of the most spectacular sunsets!

This is Black Sand Beach. The lava rocks reduced to sand. While it looks super cool, it is not very much fun to walk on in bare feet. The sand is really course and when it is sunny it is scorching hot!

The steam vents in Volcano's National Park. Reminded me slightly of Yellowstone National Park. It was extremely rainy that day, but I guess it rains a lot there. It is located on the "Rainy Side" of the island (near Hilo).

This is the large steam vent or caldera. It was emitting soooo much toxic steam that half the roads were closed!

The Thurston Lava Tubes. Lava tubes form when magma travels from the ground upward. The tube allows it to stay hot (only cools magma about 20 degrees) so it can reach the surface.

Lava fields cover most of the island. Some are ancient, some are from the 1800's, some are from the 1960's, 70's, and 80's, and some are from within the last ten years. Never again will I probably walk upon ground that is younger than I am!

This is as close as we got to the "active" lava flows. You could see steam and splashes of orange magma that was seen better at night. Kalapana was a fishing town that was recently destroyed between 1983 and 1990 by lava flows. There are still a few residents who's homes sit atop the lava. They have no water or electricity, but refuse to leave even though the entire town was destroyed.

Here is my little video of the lava. It is not very good because my camera is lacking, but it was really cool to see.

We went shopping in Kona and stayed close to our hotel for a few days to relax and so Chris could get some of his homework done.

Again, spectacular sunsets!

This is at 9,000 feet on Mauna Kea (it is 13,700ish feet total) we were going to go to the top where there is snow, but we had our rental car packed with all our luggage and we feared for it on the unpaved bumpy road. So we turned back. It was cool to be above the rainy clouds we were about to descend into.

Near Hilo (the "rainy side") are a bunch of fabulous waterfalls. This side of the island is very green. The town is a little run down, but it was fun.

We saw lots of waterfalls. The Boiling Pots below weren't as much boiling, but still cool.

Akaka Falls was by far all of our favorites. It is crazy tall!

On our way back to the airport we decided to head up near the north side of the island and went on one of the most spectacular drives. I would compare it to the Road to Hana in Maui. It was amazingly beautiful! I am so glad we decided to take that detour.

We passed through a town called Waimea (you will find a town with this name on every island by the way) and we all decided if we ever moved to the Big Island, that is the town we would live. It has rolling green hills and overlooks the ocean.

One the way to the airport, we saw another spectacular sunset amongst a huge lava field. It was the cherry on top of our trip!

Hmmm... maybe I should have done a slide show.